Resorts World New York City Kicks Off Year of the Horse with Exciting Celebrations

Queens, NY – 
Resorts World New York City kicked off Lunar New Year with excitement, luck, and prosperity, as the Big Apple’s only casino expands its celebrations for 2026. The Year of the Horse stands to be a thrilling one for Resorts World, its team members across New York State, and the local community as each property has new, exciting offerings in store. As we celebrate the Year of the Horse, we honor a powerful symbol in Chinese culture representing strength, perseverance, confidence, and forward momentum. The horse embodies progress achieved through hard work and determination, always moving forward with energy and purpose.

“Lunar New Year is one of Resorts World’s most exciting celebrations of the year, as we recognize the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities that make New York so great,” said Michelle Stoddart, SVP Community Development, Resorts World New York City. “This year calls for us to expand our celebrations, especially here in New York City, as we also build out our new, world-class integrated resort. It has been incredible to usher in the Year of the Horse with our neighbors.”

(Robert DeSalvio, President, Genting Americas East feeds a red envelope to the lion attracting good fortune, wealth, and prosperity for the coming year)

The festivities officially began when the Grand Lobby hosted the annual Blessing Ceremony Lion Dance, on Tuesday, February 17th. This year’s celebration featured an all-time high of eight lions with at least 18 performers, including instrument players and a masked Buddha.

Resorts World executives, led by Robert DeSalvio, President, Genting Americas East, began with the eye-dotting ceremony, after which the lion’s awakening and dance occurred. The lions proceeded into the casino, where they blessed the gaming floors and Hyatt Regency. Resorts World Executives were joined by Ms. Norhalilah Abdul Jalil, Consul General of Malaysia New York, Senator Leroy Comrie, Assemblyman David Weprin, Community Board 10 Chair Betty Braton and representatives of Congressman Gregory Meeks, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

Resorts World New York City leadership, team members, and community partners gather in the Grand Lobby to celebrate Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Horse.

(Traditional lion dancers gather in the Grand Lobby at Resorts World New York City to welcome the Year of the Horse)

To continue the celebrations, the Grand Lobby of Resorts World New York City will be decorated in a traditional Lunar New Year theme from now through March 4th. That will include a horse tribute, flowers, lanterns, gold coins, and cherry blossom trees. The decor is meant to symbolize prosperity, good fortune, happiness, and popularity.

Throughout the month, Resorts World New York City will hold a host of promotions to celebrate Lunar New Year. For a full list, click here.

Through its Lunar New Year celebrations, Resorts World New York City aims to foster meaningful connections with the local AAPI community, highlighting the company’s dedication to inclusivity, mutual respect, and cultural exchange.

About RWNYC

Resorts World New York City (RWNYC)  is the Big Apple’s only casino-hotel and has generated nearly $5 billion for the State’s public education system since 2011. RWNYC fulfils the decades-long mission to turn the historic Aqueduct Racetrack into a gaming destination with approximately 5,500 slot machines and electronic table gaming. An average 5 million guests pass through RWNYC’s doors annually, where they enjoy an extraordinary gaming, entertainment, and dining experience. In 2021, the 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New York City opened its doors — bringing the total investment at the site to $1.1 billion. Guests choose from several dining options, including the recently reopened RW Prime and the Good Friends Noodle House.

RWNYC is operated by the Genting Group, a global company founded in 1965, with destination resort operations in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Las Vegas, Bimini, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Genting has more than 50 years of experience in the travel and leisure industry and collectively employs approximately 30,000 people while offering an unparalleled resort experience to over 50 million visitors a year worldwide.